Curb indicator signal



Jan. 20, 1942.

R. w. MORSE CURB INDICATOR SIGNAL Filed Oct. 24, 1959 Patented Jan. 20, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE v 2,270,687 V cums mmca'ron. SIGNAL Ralph W. Morse, San Bernardino; Calif.

Application October 24, 1939, Serial No. 301,052 1 Claim. (01100-52),

This invention relates to the class of signal devices and pertains particularly to electrical signals for use upon motor vehicles.

The primary object of the presentinvention is to provide an improved signal mechanism for attachment to the fenders of motor vehicles by means bf which the operator of the vehicle may be made acquainted of the degree of proximity of his car to a curb or other object and thereby be able to avoid running the vehicle tires against the curb or damaging the vehicle fenders against objects adjacent to which the car is run.

Another and more specific object of the inven- Y tion is to provide a novel and improved circuit closing unit adapted to be attached to a vehicle fender, by means of which a signal circuit may be operated through contact of the unit with an object adjacent the vehicle, the unit being of simple form and involving the use of two electrically insulated flexible members which constitute switch contacts or terminals.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved signaling circuit controlling switch member which consists of an elongated flexible body in the form of a tightly wound coil of metal wire in one end of which is fixed in an insulation body, an end of a smaller wire coil which extends through the first coil and in spaced contact therewith, the two coils constituting opposite terminals or poles of a switch so that there is thus provided a resilient tube of of the contact members and the attaching means such as is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 and 4.

and generally designated by the numeral 4. It is preferred that there be two of these units employed in circuit with a suitable signal element, as hereinafter described. The circuit closing unit or contact unit 4 comprises an elongated tubular body in the form of a spring 5, the coils being disposed in tightly contacting relation, as shown,

metal. One end of the tube is closed by a suitable cap 6 which is here shown as engaging over the end of the tube, but it may engage within the tube or be of any other suitable form which will close the tube against the entrance of dirt and which are brought into electrical engagement when the outer coil is flexed.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be confinedjo any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating in plan a portion of one side of the motor vehicle showing the signal circuit closing switches embodying the present invention, on the vehicle and being pressed thereby against a curb. Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the manner in which one of the contact members or signal closing switches is mounted upon the rear fender of a motor vehicle and showing the switch coming into contact with the curb.

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal view through one dust.

In the opposite end of the tube from the cap 6 there is secured a body of insulation material I.

This insulation body has a central longitudinal passage therethrough, as indicated at 8, in which is secured one end of a smaller flexible spring 9 which extends into the tubular body and partially longitudinally therethrough being normally spaced from the convolutions of the outer or enclosing tube, as shown in Fig. 3.

The end of the spring tube 5 in which the insulation body 1 is secured constitutes the upper end or top of the device and this end of the device is held within a carrier or bracket l0 which is here shown as being in the form of a split collar having laterally extending ears ll connected together by a. screw l2, but it will be obvious that any other suitable holding means might be employed. This bracket It) has formed integrally therewith an arm I3 which is in spaced relation with the body of the bracket i0 as shown, and extends obliquely to the axis of the collar in which the switch unit dis secured. This arm Ill carries a securing or clamp screw it and the arm and screw cooperating with the adjacent portion of the bracket forms a clamp by means which the upper end of the unit 4 may be secured to the edge of a vehicle tender so as to extend] laterally from the tender at the desired be brought in closer to the vehicle body ii desired.

In attaching the device 4 to a vehicle fender, it is set so as to extend outwardly and downwardly therefrom at approximately a 30 angle from the horizontal as stated. This angular disposition of the contact member or unit 4 is clearly shown in Fig. 2. From this, it will be readily obvious that when a vehicle approaches a street curb such as is indicated at ilifithe lower ends or.caps B of the units 4 will first come into contact with the curb and if the vehicle continues to move toward the curb, the outer tubular casings of the contact units will be bent or flexed and will come into electrical engagement with the inner flexible member 9. If these inner and outer members are connected in a suitable electric circuit, this contacting of the members will close the circuit. As previously stated, it is prei'erred that two of these members be employed in a signaling circuit, one unit being upon the front tender and the other unit upon the rear fender. A- possible circuit hook-up for the units is shown in Fig. 5. In this it will be seen that each of the central contact members 8 is elec trically connected with a wire i8 which is connected through the medium oi! a suitable switch ll with one side of a signal element l8 which may be in the form of a buzzer or the like. The other side of, this signal element is connected with one side of a source of electric potential is which may be the battery of the motor vehicle on which the units are mounted. The other side of this battery is grounded at 20 in the usual manner, and it will be seen that the flexible tubular horasing 5 of each unit is also grounded to the car irame through the medium of the clamp by which it is attached to the fender.

With the signal mechanism embodying the present invention, it will be readily apparent that when the same is attached to a motor vehicle, the vehicle will be properly guarded against damage either to the lenders or to the tires as any close approach by the vehicle to an object will be at once indicated through the closing of the signal circuit as a result 01 the bending or flexing of the spring units 4 as they come into contact with the object approached. While the units may be set to extend outwardly irom the lenders to any desired extent, it is preferred that they be so disposed that a clearance of approximately 5 in. will be given between the vehicle body and the curb or other object.

What is claimed is:

A circuit closing device i'or attachment to an edge of a vehicle tender for extension laterally therefrom, comprising a single unit consisting of a body formed to provide a longitudinally split sleeve, the body having a recess formed therein for the reception of the edge of said render and opening at one end adjacent an end or said sleeve and directed obliquely across the long axis of the sleeve, the body at one side 0! the recess being provided with a threaded aperture, a binding screw in said aperture for engaging and securing the body to the edge of the fender, said sleeve being extended laterally outwardly and downwardly from the outer side of the vehicle fender when the body is secured thereto, a closed coil spring housing having one end disposed in said sleeve, means closing the other end of the housing, a plug of insulation disposed in the said one end of the housing, a coil spring of relatively small diameter as compared to the interior diameter of the housing having an end secured in the plug of insulation and extending longitudinally of and through the major portion of the length or the housing, and means for contracting said split sleeve into binding relation with the said one end 0! the coil spring housing for clamping the same, the plug and the coil spring together, said coil spring and the housing constituting relatively movable circuit closing terminals.

RALPH W. MORSE. 

